Flexible & Affordable
Meter Reading TechnologyMichele Harvey, Badger Meter
October 28, 2015
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 1
Objective & Introductions
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 2
Michele Harvey
Badger MeterField Technical Support
cell/text: 414-460-7724
Objective
Introduce today’s meter reading
offerings and how they can be
mixed-and-matched to provide
hybrid solutions custom for each
utility’s needs and budget.
Agenda
• Advantages
• Challenges
• New Technologies
• Flexible & Affordable
Solutions
• Time Permitting
• Advanced Metering Analytics
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 3
Meter Reading Technology
Meter Reading Technology Advantages
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 4
• Routes are read more efficiently
• Customer service is improved
• Billing disputes are handled with proof of customer’s water use
• Workman’s comp claims are reduced
• Man power is repurposed for improved utility management
• Data supports required regulatory reporting and conservation efforts
Automatic reading systems provides the utility with the tools to
better manage material and human resources
Challenge
Choosing Between Technologies
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 5
Definition - AMR
• Automatic Meter Reading
• Drive-By, Walk-By, Mobile Reading Systems
• Meter is connected to radio via an encoder register and the
reading equipment is located in the hands or vehicle of the meter
reader.
Definition - AMI
Advanced Metering Infrastructure
• Fixed Network System
• Meter is connected to a radio via
an encoder register and the
reading equipment is located in
fixed geographical locations such
as ground storage tanks, buildings,
light poles, etc.
• Cellular options are now available
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 7
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 8© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 8
Computer
Server
Billing
Software
Meter,
Encoder,
& Radio
Meter
Location
Computer
Server
Meter
Management
Software
Gateway
Laptop & Receiver
Handheld
Collector
Challenge
Geographical Terrain
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 9
Radio Frequency & Line-of-Site
• Site selection for network infrastructure is critical for optimal system performance.
• Radio waves start out at a certain strength and lose their strength due to distance
traveled and impediments (buildings or terrain) along the way.
• This is referred to as “Path Loss” or “Attenuation” and is measured in units called
a deciBels or dB.
• Output power is typically measured in the unit of Watts (“W”) but can also be
measured in a unit known as “dBm”, or decibels referenced to 1 milliWatt.
• The higher the gateway is installed, the farther it “sees”, reducing
number of collectors that are required to cover the same geographic
area
• With the height to reach distances above, to cover a one square
mile area, assuming the terrain is relatively level, a system of three
or four gateway transceivers at 30’ or one gateway at 60’ may be
deployed
Tower Height, Range and Quantity
of Collectors
1.5 miles or
7,920 feet
.35 miles or
1,847 feet
30’ 150’
CONFIDENTIAL | © 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 12
• A primary cause of path loss is associated with getting a
signal out of a house. Here are a few common examples of
typical RF loss with an indoor set application from a 1W, 30
dBM endpoint:
Potential Path Loss
Type Loss Output
Floor -10 dB +20 dBm
Interior Wall -4.4 dB +25.6 dBm
First Floor Ceiling -6 dB +24 dBm
Exterior Wall -6 dB +24 dBm
Window -3 dB +27 dBm
Solid Metal -30 dB 0 dBm
• No 2 Cities Are The Same• Each must be designed
• Topography, vegetation, buildings, etc.
• Engineers work with the utility
• Infrastructure Flexibility• Water Towers and Tanks
• Publicly-owned Buildings
• Communication Towers
• Utility Poles
• Street Lights
Traditional AMI = Custom Design
Traditional AMI = Custom System
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 15
Garibaldi, OR
6 collectors for 400 meters
Challenge
High Buy-In Costs
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 16
Traditional AMR/AMI Costs
• Purchase Collector(s)
• Installation costs
• Possible vendor engineering charges
• Electricity charges or Solar costs
• Annual vendor backhaul fees
• Annual vendor maintenance fees
• Regular replacement
• Unexpected replacement
Traditional AMR/AMI Costs
• Purchase Meter Data
Management Software
• Annual vendor
maintenance fees
• IT services for back-
up and updates
• Possible vendor
upgrade charges
Traditional AMI Costs
• Purchase Server
• Annual vendor
maintenance fees
• IT services for back-up
and updates
• Regular Replacement
• Purchase Handheld
• Annual vendor
maintenance fees
• Regular Replacement
New Technologies
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 20
Cellular Networks
& Hosting
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 21
Cellular AMA - How It Works
Cellular
Endpoint
Fixed Network
Endpoint
Cellular Network
Data Collector
Secure
Hosted Software Suite
Utility Client
Computers
Consumer
Portal
Smart
Phone
Internet
RF Link
Cellular RF Link
ENDPOINTS DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
Traditional Fixed Network vs Cellular
Network
• Cellular technology represents the future of water utility meter reading and has become the closest thing to a universal network
• Water utilities can now deploy a cellular AMI system as easily as an mobile AMR system with no network to install or maintain –Worry-free deployment
• Cellular AMI uses more reliable data network protocol versus voice network
• Cellular operators are highly regulated to ensure minimal outages and are normally one of the first utilities to come back online
• Cellular operators have demonstrated rapid restorations during natural disasters such as hurricanes Sandy and Katrina
Solutions
Flexible & Affordable
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 25
Hybrid Option
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 26
Garibaldi, OR
Hybrid: 2 collectors & cellular
High Density Systems
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 27
Hanska, MN
1 collector, 200 meters
Cellular =
65% Savings
Low Density Systems
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 28
Holly Springs, MS
131 collectors for 6000 meters over 200 square miles
68 collectors for 90%
Cellular =
49% Savings
Advanced Metering Analytics
(AMA)
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 29
Increased Visibility
Evolution of AMR to AMA
AMR – Automated Meter Reading
Mobile Meter Reading
Provides Efficient
Reading with Monthly
Billing Data
AMI – Advanced Metering
Infrastructure
Fixed Network
Meter Reading
Provides Raw Daily or Hourly Data
AMA – Advanced Metering Analytics
Fixed Network with
Powerful Analytics Software
Provides Actionable Proactive
Intelligence
AMA = AMI + Smart Software
Providing Advanced Metering Analytics
Select & Define System Exceptions
with the simple Analytics
Configurator
Define Accounts to Monitor for Defined
Exception
Define Who, How, How Often, and Action to take when alerted of Exception (Email, SMS, or Dashboard)
Continual System Monitoring of Interval
Data
Actionable Business Decisions from
Proactive Intelligence
Improved Utility Management
Consumption under 25% of average usage
Commercial Meters larger than 2”
Email Meter Supervisor immediately to setup
work order for investigation
BEACON AMA automatically monitors data and notifies per
your instructions
Assign Field Technician to investigate
Meter Element Replaced
Resource Management – Proactive System
Analytics
• Eliminates the need to run a
variety of reports to monitor
exception conditions
• Metering-Based Configurations
• Hourly / Daily Consumption
• Consumption Percentages
• Exceptions (Continual Usage
Leaks, Cut-Wire Tamper, No
Usage, Reverse Flow, Encoder
Error, Water Main Leaks)
• Inactive Account Usage
• Notification by System
Dashboard, E-mail or SMS
Making
Water
Visible
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 33
Enhanced Customer Service
• Today, innovative customer
engagement is the key to
providing a revolutionary
customer service
experience
• Empowering the consumer
to understand and control
their own water usage
• Builds a better relationship
with the customer
• Educates them on ways to
take ownership and
responsibility of their usage
Billing Dispute Resolution
AMA & Consumer Engagement
Focus on Conservation
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 37
Tracking
Conservation
Program
Results
Focus on Conservation
© 2013 Badger Meter, Inc. 38
Sprinkler/ Water Day
Restriction
Enforcement
Questions / Answers / Discussion
Michele Harvey
Badger MeterField Technical Support
cell/text: 414-460-7724
Thank You!
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